Jess Lockwood has been a professional rodeo cowboy competing on the PBR circuit since 2015. Since joining in 2015, he has been honored twice as Rookie of the Year!
Jess Lockwood became the youngest world champion in PBR history in November 2017, but an injury-stricken season in 2018 hampered his progress. But, regardless of this setback, he came back out victorious by winning the Monster Energy Buckoff at the Garden tournament title in Las Vegas.
Getting Started in the Rodeo
Rodeo offers the perfect blend of old West traditions with athleticism found in today’s cowboys and cowgirls, captivating audiences of all ages through its thrilling competition. It offers a thrilling show of athleticism, wit, and skill, ensuring rodeo is always exciting to watch!
Rodeo can trace its roots to the work and play of 19th-century American cowboys with Spanish-Mexican roots, who competed at seasonal roundups or “cow towns” at the end of cattle driving trails. Over time, these competitions developed into regular entertainment offerings at rodeo venues nationwide.
The rodeo features eight main events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, team roping, breakaway roping, and steer wrestling. Each event typically occurs during performances that national associations sanction.
PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and PBR (Professional Bull Riders) are two prominent organizations that organize rodeo events in the US, each having specific rules that contestants must abide by to score points at these rodeos.
Bull riding, one of the most renowned rodeo events, has long been an audience and professional favorite. Cowboys ride cows or bulls for eight seconds while earning points based on their performance.
Bull riding is an intricate and challenging sport that demands balance, agility, strength, and speed to perform successfully. Bull riding may be a great way to begin rodeo if you want to compete professionally.
Bronc riding, or “bucking horse riding,” is another highly contested event at rodeos, featuring riders on bucking horses with spurring actions designed to match those of their mount. The judging criteria for these riders include how long their stroke lasts and the force with which they buck.
Saddle bronc riding is one of the more traditional rodeo events and dates back to early cattle wrangling techniques. Ranch hands would compete to demonstrate their cattle wrangling expertise through this event; cowboys who can sync their spurring action with their horse’s bucking action may do particularly well in scoring points in this competition.
Getting Started in Bull Riding
Bull riding is one of the most beloved rodeo events, and practices can be found worldwide. While originally practiced as a competitive activity between ranch hands and Mexican cowboys, it has evolved into an organized, professional sport today.
Before embarking on bull riding, you must gain an in-depth knowledge of its mechanics. Most competitions feature riders mounting bulls and gripping an interwoven braided rope wrapped around them for support.
Once they nod, signaling they are ready, the bucking chute opens, and a bull is released into the arena. Riders must stay on them for eight seconds as determined by a judge or risk getting out and asking them for another try! If one falls off while riding, they must ask a judge for another chance.
As you prepare to climb onto an animal, try not to become overly nervous. Your adrenaline may be high; therefore, focus on keeping your balance and centering yourself as you approach.
Keep in mind that every bull-bucking style varies. To maximize performance and avoid making costly errors during riding sessions, watch at least the initial minutes of its bucking session before trying out your technique on it. This will help ensure you learn the appropriate technique before riding it yourself.
Once you understand the fundamentals of bull riding, investing in competition-grade equipment is advisable. A pair of leather gloves and braided rope will usually suffice, although more protective gear is available if necessary.
If you’re considering turning bull riding into a career path, consider joining the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA). This organization promotes high school rodeos nationally while offering scholarship opportunities.
Participating in the NHSRA can introduce you to bull riding and help you attain national recognition and secure places at top competitions, such as the College National Finals Rodeo, which gives away over $200,000 each year in scholarships for qualifying riders.
Getting Started with PBR
during the third round of the Billings Built Ford Tough Series PBR. Photo by Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media. Photo credit must be given on all use.
Professional bull riding (PBR) is one of America’s fastest-growing sports. Established by 20 bull riders in 1992, PBR quickly expanded across major markets throughout America, eventually awarding over $140.1 million in prize money annually! Since its origins 20 years ago, over 1,700 bull riders from 20 different rodeo circuits across North America joined in creating PBR as an independent organization that would compete independently from rodeo events and becomes a worldwide phenomenon that now awards over 140 million annually in prize money alone!
PBR events differ from traditional rodeos in that they occur at sports stadiums rather than fairgrounds and feature some top rodeo athletes competing against a 2,000-pound bull.
Before attending your first PBR event, there are a few essential details you must keep in mind to maximize your experience and guarantee a smooth show experience. Here are a few things you have to remember for the best time.
As an initial point, PBR is an event with a cowboy-related theme that attracts people of various walks. Furthermore, this activity is viral among both young people and families alike.
PBR is an exciting sport to follow and features action-packed bull riding with riders strapped to mighty bulls for an 8-second battle between man and beast.
PBR is an exciting sport that will keep you guessing from start to finish yet doesn’t intimidate newcomers with its intensity and ferocity. If you’re new to PBR or want a way to spend an enjoyable afternoon, PBR could be precisely what you’re looking for!
Bull Riding Championship is an exciting, high-stakes competition featuring only the world’s top bull riders competing against one another for a $1 Million year-end bonus awarded to their season’s winning bull rider.
If you’re considering attending a PBR event, research its dates and locations beforehand to help make a more informed decision about whether it suits your family and you.
Getting Started in the Cowboy Lifestyle
To start living the cowboy life, you need to know a few key points. First, find employment on a ranch or farm that provides cowboy positions. Second and most importantly, becoming familiar with all the duties of being a cowboy.
Your education as a farmer requires learning to work with cattle, horses, and other farm animals, such as goats. This involves learning how to sort animals before moving them on foot or horseback – keeping both safe and happy while learning to build and repair fences and operate a tractor.
Doing a cowboy job on a ranch is an invaluable way to gain experience in all the various tasks involved with ranch work. You will likely be given specific tasks such as securing barbed wire around the barn or moving cattle to different pastures – this will enable you to be successful at running this type of operation while being a valued employee by its owner.
As part of your education as a cowboy, you must wear appropriate attire. Typically, durable clothes that can withstand the rigorous demands of this profession should be selected, such as long sleeve shirts that provide arm protection when working with barbed wire and hay bales.
Additionally, you will require boots that can withstand the wear and tear associated with this task and a hat made from leather that can endure heat conditions.
Once you’re appropriately attired, you must get ready to work. This may involve doing various jobs on the ranch or farm, such as securing barbed wire and hay bales, moving cattle, and repairing fences.
Those looking to start living the Cowboy Lifestyle must remember that mastery of this occupation requires time and dedication to succeed. You should expect some trials to arise, but be ready for challenges to ensure success!